WASHINGTON - The Church of Scientology plotted to purchase or otherwise "control" the Clearwater Sun by attempting to cut the paper's advertising revenue, discredit reporters and editors and rally readers against it, according to sect documents released Friday. -

High-level Scientology "Guardians," carrying out plans to "take control" of the city of Clearwater in November 1975, planted spies in the Sun's news and advertising departments to gather information that might be incriminating to the paper's finances and employes.

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April 4, 1980 Clearwater Sun -
"Lawyers days in Clearwater spawn mystery" - - The story of a Scientology lawyer Merrill George Vannier and spy in Clearwater Florida, whose wife worked on Gabe Cazares re-election campaign, and who eneded up representing Gabe Cazare's in his own litigation ( to his detriment )

LINK to an article that originally ran as part of the The Shadow Column from TheHill.com about an Ex-Scientologists Apology to Rich Leiby and Mayor Gabe Cazares for his deceitful conduct while a member.